The AMU

We arrived outside the AMU to find Elie Graves waiting for us.

"Hey," he greeted me. "Heard you were on your way over."

"Yeah," I said. "Called ahead. Supposed to meet someone in the library."

"Yeah," he replied. "Avie should be waiting there for you."

"Friend of yours?" I asked.

He shrugged.

"We've met briefly," he said. "Don't know them that well."

"I see," I said. "I'll be bringing Kallaway into the meeting. Mind entertaining my interns in the meantime?"

"No problem," he said. "I'll show them some of the popular hang out spots on campus."

"Sounds good," I said. "Also, any news on the Professor? He's not on one of his vacations, is he?"

"Just got back from one," Elie said. "Something about a second layer or something? Didn't really elaborate."

Kallaway perked up slightly upon hearing that.

"I see," I said. "I'll ask for an audience while we talk business."

"Alright," Elie said. "You'd better get going. Don't wanna keep 'em waiting."

"Right," I said. "See ya later."

As we walked away, Kallaway leaned in and whispered to me.

"The second layer of reality," he said. "Not easy to get there, but it contains a powerful source of eldritch power known as Mana."

"And how do you know this?" I asked.

"Dyson," he replied. "His been there. Has Mana of his own."

"Interesting…," I replied.

I walked Kallaway over to the library. On the way there, I got some uneasy looks from some students, and even dirtier looks from security personnel. They were informed in advance that I was coming on business, so they weren't going to stand in my way at all. They just stood aside judging me.

Not that they could stop me if they tried...

I arrived at the library, where Avie was waiting. I'd never met them during my time there, but they were pleasant. After some brief introductions, they escorted me to a private meeting area, where a woman by the name of Lauri Strawn was waiting. I found that a little amusing, since I had recently been drinking in a town called New Strawn.

Anyway, our conversation has already been covered once, by Avie themself, so I won't be retelling the whole thing here. I will, however, be recounting the interaction when I was finally able to introduce Kallaway to the Professor.

Avie left to go fetch him, only to run into him just outside the door, already on his way there. They both walked in after, and I stood up to greet him.

"I see you were expecting me, Professor Malkator," I said.

Kallaway immediately reacted to that name, and stood up as well. His reaction was perfectly natural. After all...

What kind of mama's boy would forget their mother's maiden name?

"Foresight, remember?" Malkator replied. "Long time no see, Daniel. How's your leg?"

Professor Benjamin Malkator, age 26, was a young British man with an interesting history with the AMU, and the people behind them. However, the admins at the Academy managed to strike a peace, hiring him on as a teacher, and giving him free range to do more-or-less as he pleases. Hence the vacations.

He was about my height, with straight brown hair, handsome features, and the most beautiful, emerald green eyes you can imagine.

And for those who have been curios all this time about my bad leg, in was seriously injured in a sparring incident with this man.

"Just fine," I said, giving him a smirk. "How's your mouth?"

"Just fine," he replied. As he spoke, there was some slight movement underneath his shirt, accompanied by some soft, clicking noises. He then addressed Kallaway's presence. "And who might this be?"

Predicted that I'd show up here, but wasn't expecting Kallaway. Okay then...

"I'm David  Kallaway," Kallaway said. "I'm... your cousin..."

Malkator took a second to process this, before his eyes shifter to the eclipsing pupil look Kallaway does, and the sleeve on the right arm of his jacket peeled apart (and interesting thing I'll have to ask about later) and a large, chitinous blade sprouted from his forearm. He briefly slipped into the God's Way, appearing directly in front of Kallaway, blade raised to his throat.

"Prove it," Malkator demanded.

After getting over the initial shock, Kallaway sprouted his gauntlet, using it to push the blade away from him, locking giant irises with Malkator. Lauri was noticeable worried by this sudden, violent shift in events, but Avie was trying their best to keep their cool.

After a few seconds, Kallaway and Malkator both relaxed.

"Proof accepted, cuz," Malkator said.

Everything calmed down after that, and we wrapped up the meeting. Malkator escorted us out. On the way out, I tapped into the power I had gained from the extractor of Kallaway's blood. The Vision's power. I looked at Avie briefly, getting a look at what was coming to them. I gave them a smile, promising that we'd see each other soon in Seattle.

"So, you're Aunt Shiela's kid, huh?" Malkator asked. "I heard your family was killed."

"My father killed mom," Kallaway said. "I killed him afterwards, which apparently didn't stick, and things with me have been complicated since then..."

"I see," Malkator said. "My parents are gone too. Never committed patricide, though. What's that like?"

"Haunting," Kallaway said. "And... satisfyingly deserved..."

"Hmm," Malkator replied, possibly a little disturbed.

"So, how'd you awaken your powers?" Kallaway asked.

"I got cut open with a magic knife," Malkator replied. "You?"

This time, Kallaway looked a little disturbed.

"Um, Daniel's Enhancer," he replied.

Malkator quickly turned to me, glaring angrily.

"You put my cousin in the same crazy death machine that got you expelled!?" he demanded.

"He survived," I pointed out.

Malkator sprouted his arm blade again.

"I have half a mind to lop your reckless head off right now," He growled.

Kallaway stepped between us.

"Okay, can we not!?" He growled. "Look, this may sound crazy, but with a threat like Kraken planning what they are, maybe not letting you two kill each other is a smart move. You're both powerful. And we need power."

Malkator continued glaring, but still retracted his arm blade.

"Fine," he said.

"Even if you did try anything," I said, grinning, "I'm stronger than I was before."

Malkator raised a hand menacingly, and a ball of flame appeared in his hand.

"As am I," he growled.

I see. Second layer. Mana. Interesting...

I outstretched the finger on one of my hands, allowing electrical sparks to dance between them.

"So then," I said. "Do you think that'll be enough to top what I've got packing?"

"Trust me," Malkator growled. "I can take you..."

Kallaway looked frustrated, and was about to get on our cases again, but he was interrupted by the voice of a young, familiar Japanese girl.

"Malkator-sensei!" Kimiko called out. "Dani- I mean, Dr. Ferris!"

We lowered our guards and turned to her.

"Kimiko-san!" I called back to her. "How ya been?"

"Very well," she replied, smiling. She then turned her attention to Kallaway. "And, um... I don't believe we've met..."

"Dave, "Kallaway said shortly, too annoyed with me and Malkator to pay much attention.

"Kon'nichiwa, Dave... senpai," she said, clearly checking out his biceps. "Um, Elie-senpai sent me to go find you.

"I'll be taking my leave, then," Malkator said. "David, I'll see you later. And Daniel.."

"Yes?" I asked.

"Don't bloody kill anyone...," he said.

"No promise," I replied.